At a time when Uttar Pradesh has witnessed an increase in communal violence, a small temple of Lord Shiva at a village in the stateâ€™s Bulandshahar district, turned into a symbol of Hindu- Muslim unity when it became witness to the marriages of two Muslim girls.
The â€œnikahâ€ of the sisters was solemnised at the Shiva temple at the Ramnagar village of the district on Monday by the â€œkaziâ€ in the presence of hundreds of people from both communities. According to reports, Iqbal Khan, a resident of the village, had fixed the marriage of his two daughters, Nazma and Muzma, with two youths of the same district. Though the nikah ceremony was scheduled to be performed at his residence, Khan wanted the ceremony to be a symbol of communal amity and brotherhood. He had also expressed his desire to some of his Hindu friends. Khan was surprised when he was approached by members of both communities a few days ago with a proposal to solemnise the nikah of his daughters at the Shiva Temple in Ramnagar. â€œIt was like a dream come true for me,â€ said Khan. He readily agreed. Khan discussed the matter with the families of the two grooms, and they too said they had no objection to the arrangement. The priest of the Shiva temple also happily gave his permission. On Sunday, the wedding party of the two girls arrived at the temple for the ceremony. While the kazi performed the ceremony in accordance with Islamic traditions, a local Hindu family made arrangements for the community feast on the occasion. The two girls were given a traditional and tearful send-off by hundreds of people from both the Hindu and Muslim communities on Monday.

Purtageri (Karnataka): As India waits for the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit verdict amid security concerns, a small village in north Karnataka shows the way to communal harmony.

In Purtageri north Karnataka, Hindus are helping Muslims restore a mosque that was on the brink of collapse.

It's a century-old mosque that's been crying for attention since last October. The roof of the mosque started leaking and a portion of it was badly damaged in the heavy rains that lashed many parts of north Karnataka last year.

In Purtageri north Karnataka, Hindus are helping Muslims restore a mosque that was on the brink of collapse.But with the rains setting in, a rare show of communal harmony was displayed to the entire country. Hindus have taken the lead to pitch in with donations and construction material to re-build the damaged mosque in remote Purtageri, a village near Gadag in north Karnataka, about 400 kms from Bangalore.

There are about 150 households in Purtageri of which only about 10 families are Muslim, who are daily wagers or agricultural labourers. Hence, they couldn't afford the renovation of their only place of worship. But Hindus from the neighbouring historic town of Gajendraghada donated willingly and work is now on in full swing with donations to the tune of about Rs 1 lakh. Some Hindus who couldn't donate in cash or kind, have volunteered to help with the masonry and labour.

The mosque is likely to get ready by December this year â€“ the month that's known for the demolition of the Babri masjid â€“ these villagers hope will now be known for their efforts at communal unity.

New Delhi: One part of India has remain untouched by the verdict on Ayodhya. Muslims in a village in Bihar are busy building a temple for their Hindus neighbours â€“ setting a concrete example of real coexistence.

While the nation is still holding back its breath â€“ the post Ayodhya verdict, a remote village in Bihar is celebrating. Muslims in Bachawara village of Begusarai district are busy constructing a temple these days. The land has been donated by a Muslim landlord to construct a Shiva temple, the money is being raised by fellow Muslims & they are even volunteering physically.
The village has pre-dominant Muslim population and they are building a temple in reciprocation to one of the Mazar located there, which has been built by Ganga Chaudhary, a Hindu farmer.

Even post Ayodhya verdict, the construction of temple continued with the same zeal.
Unfazed by the bitterness over mandir-maszid dispute, these villagers have proved by their act, that for them humanity is the only religion, whether they worship in temples or offer namaz in mosqueâ€.
â€œWe have accepted the verdict and celebrated with both Hindus and Muslims,â€ said a villager, Salauddin Ansari.
These villagers are untouched by distrust and hatred elsewhere and earning livelihood out of making biri is all that matters to them.
â€œBoth Hindus and Muslims stay together here,â€ said another villager Veena Devi.
These faceless and ordinary folks are displaying what could not be practiced by so called baton bearers of both the religion.

By bowing to Shiva, the entire family ceased to be Muslims. They should be punished as per Sharia, whatever is for Murtards.

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This is good for unity among communities and unity brings peace....by marrying in a temple none of them bowed to Shiva...you do not need to bow to shiva or any other deity whenever you visit a temple...

What should we do, allow more such weddings/festivities in Hindu temples to pacify specific communities.

What's the whole purpose of this article.

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Hindu-Muslim problem will continue in Indian subcontinent as long as there are 2 communities, Only way is revert Muslims back to Hinduism. All Muslims revert to Hinduism, who will shout for Pakistan then? End of terrorism. No other option.

What is wrong with that? Are you still with medieval mentality that no one can convert to Hinduism? They returned to their original faith. And no one force them to revert. So what is problem?

Hindu-Muslim problem will continue in Indian subcontinent as long as there are 2 communities, Only way is revert Muslims back to Hinduism. All Muslims revert to Hinduism, who will shout for Pakistan then? End of terrorism. No other option.

This what that's why Spain is now united and India is not, due to bleeding heart unrealistic liberals. This what Hindus should have done in past.

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the main contention between hindus and muslims is not the rituals , in fact there is nothing worng in having rituals in each other temples and mosques (it shows greater tolerence). the main issue is animal slaughter and forcefull conversion. if these two issue are resolved, which I think they will over a period of time , rest everything will fall in place.